For those who love the poetry and stories of Jalal al-Din Rumi, the 13th century Sufi Mystic. Daily posts present a variety of translators and translations. Many English speaking people are coming to an appreciation of Rumi's poetry through the translations of Coleman Barks and Camille and Kabir Helminski. Examples of those popular works are offered on Sunlight, along with the lesser known translations of Nader Khalili, Jonathan Star, Annemarie Schimmel, William Chittick and Ibrahim Gamard.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Two presentations from the Mathnawi on the state of living in union - a poetic version by Barks and a literal translations by Nicholson.

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"The Naked Sun"

Those who live in Union become pregnant with the feelings and words of invisible forms!Their amazed mouths open.Their eyes withdraw.

Children are born of the illumination.We say "born," but that's not right.It only points to a new understanding.

Be quiet and let the Master of Speech talk.Don't try to dress up your own nightingale-song to sell to this Rose!Be all ear.

This pregnancy!So subtle and delicious,the way ice in July reminds us of winter,the way fruit in January tells of summer generosity.That's how the naked Sunembraces all the orchard-brides at once.

-- Mathnawi VI, 1810-1822 Version by Coleman Barks from a translation by John Moyne "This Longing" Threshold, 1988

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In like manner (all) the parts of those intoxicated with unionare pregnant with the (ideal) forms of (ecstatic) feelings andwords. Their mouths remain gaping (in amazement) at the beauty of(that) ecstasy, (While) their eyes are absent (withdrawn) from the forms of this world. Those (spiritual) progenies are not (produced) by means of these four (elements); consequently they are not seen by theseeyes. Those progenies are born of (Divine) illumination; consequentlythey are covered (from sight) by a pure veil. We said "born," but in reality they are not born, and thisexpression is only (used) in order to guide (the understanding). Hark, be silent that the King of Say* may speak: do not play the nightingale* with a Rose of this kind. This eloquent Rose is full of song* and cry: O nightingale, letthy tongue cease, be (all) ear! Both (these) kinds* of pure ideal forms are valid (trustworthy)witnesses to the mystery of union. Both (these) kinds of subtle and delectable beauty are witnessesto (spiritual) pregnancies and growing big (with child)* in the past, Like ice that in the brilliant* (month of) Tamuz is ever tellingthe story of winter. And recalling the cold winds and intense frost in those harddays and times; (Or) like fruit that in winter-time tells the story of God'slovingkindness And the tale of the season when the sun was smiling andembracing* the brides of the orchard. The ecstasy is gone but thy (every) part remains as a souvenir:either inquire of it, or thyself recall (the ecstasy) to mind.

-- Mathnawi,VI, 1810-1823 Translation and Commentary by Reynold A. Nicholson "The Mathnawi of Jalalu'ddin Rumi" Published and Distributed by The Trustees of The "E.J.W. Gibb Memorial"